“He’d fly through the air with the greatest of ease; That daring man on the flying trapeze”, says a 19th century song about circus performer and flying trapeze inventor Jules Léotard, who used to fly through the air in –as named after him- a leotard. The French Aerialist has brought two things to the world: trapeze as a recognised sport, and bodysuits as appropriate flying attire. From Barbarella to Patrick Swayze, Wonder Women and men have oft turned to bodysuits when set out to conquer an orgasmatron or baby in the corner (and let’s not forget Freddy Mercury, busy breaking free.)

A duo flying through the air with great ease thanks to their pointy shoulder pads are stylist Raquel Franco and designer Laura Figueras. The Spanish gentlewomen have just created ‘Bodyline’ a label dedicated to turning bodysuits into outer gear. It was launched in Paris on Sunday 7th, and London the previous week, and will soon be sold at Start Boutique in Shoreditch.

With names such as ‘Breton’ or ‘Man Ray’, these 16 models bear influences from Dada, Surrealism, but also 1920s linear architecture. “Bodysuits are essential, but it’s a missing basic,” says Franco, “there is a real gap in the market.” The pieces associate elements ranging from geometrical silhouette à la Helmut Lang, thanks to protruding shoulder pads, 1950s-inspired bottom-friendly pants, and 1930 trim waist and elongated torso. Like Azzedine Alaïa and Donna Karan in the 1980s, these are meant to be worn outdoors: they can be paired with tights, tucked in to skirts. What might appear like a fitted top could turn out to be a full torso piece – and become the wearer’s dirty little secret (and the fantasy of the sleazy man sitting across in the night bus). Not to say of course, that the more daring ones shouldn’t attempt to wear one on its own (in which case, definitely avoid the night bus). As a contrast to the plunging v-necks or exposed back, the palette of colours remains sober, including grey, indigo, caramel and black.

Franco and Figueras don’t feel they were directly influenced by specific styles. Rather, they were more generally inspired by surrealist muse, Lee Miller. Franco and Figueras are more drawn to the way the woman, wife of Man Ray and actress to Jean Cocteau led her life, Figueras explained. If ever looking for Miller, Many Ray or the 1920s, Bodyline will fit like Léotard’s leotard.